The next step is the heat shields and they are pretty straight forward and easy to remove.

Once you get the heat shields off you will see the rubber plugs that need to be removed to access the bolt holes for the bumper beam brackets.

Next you need to install the brackets and bolts with washers. Install the bolts & washers but don't tighten everything down.

Once you have the brackets loosely installed you can install the bumper beam and loosely install the bolts and washers to secure it to the brackets. I had one bolt hole that was slightly misaligned so I needed to loosen the bolts holding the brackets to the chassis a little more to get all the bolts aligned and hand tightened.

Make sure to follow the torquing sequence in the instructions when doing the final tightening of all the bolts.

Once you get the bumper beam installed you can move onto the electrical part. The first was reinstalling the keyless remote antenna on the bumper beam.

For the trailer hitch wiring I really felt the instructions/diagrams could be better. I felt the diagrams did a so-so job showing where the mounts went. I think I got everything installed where it should be. Below you can see where I placed the two zip tie anchors, where the chassis connector is located, and how I stuck everything together.

Outside the car, the electrical is pretty straight forward and you install the zip ties where the instructions say to.

I have seen it mentioned in other threads and I did notice it here that the clearance between the back of the hitch and spare tire sheet metal isn't that much.

One interesting note I saw in the instructions were that it said to reinstall the original bumper beam bolts. I'm not sure if that's necessary, but I did it anyway.

 

Now the fun part comes with the bumper cover. You need to remove the lower bumper cover to install the template.

The template for the most part fits pretty well and aligning it isn't too difficult. I used a paint pen and traced around the template. I added tape to the areas I marked before removing tape from the areas needed to be marked.

With everything marked I used a combination of tools to cut out the template. For the initial straight cut I used a heavy duty pair of scissors and that worked surprisingly well. For the curves I ended up using a coping saw which allowed me to cut things relatively well, but it left a lot of burring that needed to be cleaned up. I'm happy with the cut out part that you actually see from behind, however there's a part or two in the section underneath that I think could look better. I may try and use some of the extra trim or find a small trim piece to put around the edges.

For the inner bumper there is a line already there to follow to cut out.

If I had it to do over again I would try something like this deburring tool to try and cut or at the very least make the cuts look a little nicer.

Lastly, you need to install the trim piece around the lower bumper cover. There is a sticky material inside so it sticks pretty well.

Installation of everything is pretty much doing everything in reverse order. The installation instructions I don't think tell you all the details and miss a couple things so just take your time and make sure you have everything together. The order I'd suggest is heat shields, mufflers, bumper cover, mud flaps, tail lights, spare tire, and other goodies inside the hatch area.

Again, I'd suggest using a box or something to support the mufflers during installation. Ensure to lube up the muffler mounts and hangers so everything slides on easily. The new exhaust gaskets are slightly oval in shape and kind of snap into place so play with their fitment a little bit before you bolt everything up. Get someone to help you with installation of the bumper cover and aligning all the tabs. I found even after I thought I had everything in place there were a few clips that didn't quite snap into place along the side and I just needed to press a little harder. You can see in one of the pictures below that the wiring harness that was added clears the spare tire without any issues.

Overall, I think the installation of the OEM trailer hitch is pretty straight forward and should be able to be tackled by someone who has some wrenching experience. Although I'd suggest avoiding the summer months if you live in Texas I'm not sure what is the best method for cutting the bumper beam so maybe others that have done the install can share their experiences.

Check out the image gallery I posted above as there are some more pictures in there.

If you have any questions/comments please let me know.

Josh

 

Now the fun part comes with the bumper cover. You need to remove the lower bumper cover to install the template.

The template for the most part fits pretty well and aligning it isn't too difficult. I used a paint pen and traced around the template. I added tape to the areas I marked before removing tape from the areas needed to be marked.

With everything marked I used a combination of tools to cut out the template. For the initial straight cut I used a heavy duty pair of scissors and that worked surprisingly well. For the curves I ended up using a coping saw which allowed me to cut things relatively well, but it left a lot of burring that needed to be cleaned up. I'm happy with the cut out part that you actually see from behind, however there's a part or two in the section underneath that I think could look better. I may try and use some of the extra trim or find a small trim piece to put around the edges.

For the inner bumper there is a line already there to follow to cut out.

If I had it to do over again I would try something like this deburring tool to try and cut or at the very least make the cuts look a little nicer.

Lastly, you need to install the trim piece around the lower bumper cover. There is a sticky material inside so it sticks pretty well.

Installation of everything is pretty much doing everything in reverse order. The installation instructions I don't think tell you all the details and miss a couple things so just take your time and make sure you have everything together. The order I'd suggest is heat shields, mufflers, bumper cover, mud flaps, tail lights, spare tire, and other goodies inside the hatch area.

Again, I'd suggest using a box or something to support the mufflers during installation. Ensure to lube up the muffler mounts and hangers so everything slides on easily. The new exhaust gaskets are slightly oval in shape and kind of snap into place so play with their fitment a little bit before you bolt everything up. Get someone to help you with installation of the bumper cover and aligning all the tabs. I found even after I thought I had everything in place there were a few clips that didn't quite snap into place along the side and I just needed to press a little harder. You can see in one of the pictures below that the wiring harness that was added clears the spare tire without any issues.

Overall, I think the installation of the OEM trailer hitch is pretty straight forward and should be able to be tackled by someone who has some wrenching experience. Although I'd suggest avoiding the summer months if you live in Texas I'm not sure what is the best method for cutting the bumper beam so maybe others that have done the install can share their experiences.

Check out the image gallery I posted above as there are some more pictures in there.

If you have any questions/comments please let me know.

Josh

🍻 WOW, Well done! GREAT write-up!! I'm sure this will help many to come!

 

Phew! I'm sure glad mine came with one already installed!

 

Yeah this looks like a good amount of work!

 

Great Post for those doing the factory install! But it does make me glad I did the Curt hitch. Much easier.

 

I am considering the Curt hitch for my 2020 OB. Read a bunch of reviews about misaligned holes and flanges but they weren't necessarily installed on Outbacks. I'm wondering if you could post or reply about how your install went.

 

No wonder the dealer quoted me a $400 labor cost. Glad I was able to find a ob on the lot with a factory installed one!

 

It took me pretty much all day to do this work. If I had to do it again I could likely decrease that time, but yes it takes a bit of time to do it. If they provided an already cut lower trim piece that would decrease the complexity and time quite a bit in my mind.

 

I still give folks allot of credit with these installs. I have a Mechanical Engineering degree AND a 50 year background in fiddling with cars. When I was looking at hitch's, the idea of pealing off the entire back end of the car and then the exhaust stopped me cold with the factory design. Heck, I didn't even trust the dealer doing it out of fear that something wouldn't go back together right.

 

Honestly.....that's why I did the install myself is because I didn't trust the dealer to do the work. I pretty much do all the work on my cars (I've pretty much replaced everything on my project Legacy other than the shell) that way I know it's done right because the few times I've let someone do something or bought cars used....you find some things that were done previously that make you go what happened here.

 

I recently bought a Outback Limited 2020. I negotiated the installation of the OEM hitch as part of the deal, basically at 50% off of the $650 for the parts and labor. The part was in-stock and the installation was completed within a day. I was worried after seeing other botched installs, but fortunately, my dealer was able to install it properly. It looks good and nicely hidden, but definitely need to get on our hands and news to put the pin in the hitch and attach the safety chains. The "downside" of such a stealth install.

 

 

Awesome, nice work. Totally agree that I'd have paid a premium for a pre-cut lower bumper cover.

What did you do with the stock bumper beam? Mine's sitting in my garage right now, hah.

There's also a video of this on Youtube:

 

Thanks for sharing that video! I wish I would have seen that before doing mine.

 

Thank you for the detailed write-up! I've been twisting wrenches since the 40s, professionally since the 50s, and have installed trailer hitches on cars and trucks for decades, but having your write-up that I've saved makes it a lot easier for when and if I install a hitch on my 2020 Outback Limited.

 

You're very welcome! I'm glad it was helpful and hopefully will make the job easier if you decide to do the install.

 

man, this is really quite amazing. While Ive installed many accessories myself, there was no way I was going to attempt this job, but with this write up, I might have considered it, but the cut would have been a challenge for me, as it was for the dealers. Why they didnt manufacture a pre-cut version of that bumper piece is beyond me.
Very impressed with this install write up!!

 

man, this is really quite amazing. While Ive installed many accessories myself, there was no way I was going to attempt this job, but with this write up, I might have considered it, but the cut would have been a challenge for me, as it was for the dealers. Why they didnt manufacture a pre-cut version of that bumper piece is beyond me.
Very impressed with this install write up!!

Thanks, I really appreciate it....and yes I don't know why Subaru didn't make a pre-cut version of the bumper....even if you have to buy it separately.

 

That was a great photo record of your installation. At one time, I may have attempted to install mine, but at my Age,and after seeing what is involved I'm glad to have paid the Dealership the $750. OBTW I leave my Aluminum Ball mount in permanently. It saves the Plastic if someone gets too close in the parking lot.

 

My Mom had a hitch on her old 90 Toyota pickup that she left on. She had a couple people rear end her and with the hitch on it did far more damage to their vehicles. I would just loosen up the bumper mounting brackets and straighten the bumper up.

 

Fortunately Florida isn't one of those states. From the photo of the Hitch, it looks like the Receiver portion is suspended by only 2 bolts which I believe would bend the receiver inward given a hard enough enough impact. However is major structural damage did occur, I have a $500 deductable from the Gekko with Loaner.

 

Hey didn’t wanna start a new thread...
I got my OEM hitch installed by my Subaru dealer as per recommendation by SOA and other mechanics...I could get the job done myself with the awesome instructions from the original poster here but I paid for the liability as I’m going to be towing a trailer full time. Cost me $400 plus tax for the labor, pretty steep but I’m willing to pay it for security. My question to you all is this...would you be happy with this job? It’s not terrible I could totally live with it, but the cut in the bumper underguard seems a little sloppy and the cut is peeking out of the gasket. What do you guys think? Am I being dramatic?

 

Hey didn’t wanna start a new thread...
I got my OEM hitch installed by my Subaru dealer as per recommendation by SOA and other mechanics...I could get the job done myself with the awesome instructions from the original poster here but I paid for the liability as I’m going to be towing a trailer full time. Cost me $400 plus tax for the labor, pretty steep but I’m willing to pay it for security. My question to you all is this...would you be happy with this job? It’s not terrible I could totally live with it, but the cut in the bumper underguard seems a little sloppy and the cut is peeking out of the gasket. What do you guys think? Am I being dramatic?
View attachment 494151 View attachment 494152

That's a poor cutting job. Especially the iver cut on to the bumper. I would ask for replacing that trim piece. I believe it can be replaced fairly inexpensively.

I believe this is the trim piece (57734A in the diagram):

57734AN10A

 

It also looks like the opening is wider on the left than on the right. Count me with the votes for that piece to be replaced.

 

So I now I gotta convert this bad boy to a 7-pin connection. I’m assuming I’ll have to remove that trim piece were talking about and uninstall the new 4 pin thats under the car, then connect that to the 7-pin and remount that where the 4-pin was. Is this correct? If thats the case I’ll use that oppurtunity to fully wrap that piece.

edit: and this may seem like a dumb question, but how the hell am I going to get the cotter pin thru the receiver now? What am I missing here?

 

Ok so not to double post but I think they totally messed up this install. Here are shots on the under guard from the bottom of mine And the original posters. There’s no way of accessing the cotter pin. Am I missing something here cus I’m about to go right back to my dealer.

 

Totally unrelated to your problem with the messed up install, but can you measure the front to back distance on the hitch? And the distance to the spare tire pan from back of hitch? Trying to see if my hitch insert will fit or would be better to go with Curt still?

 

I know my 2021 came in on the 25th with out the hitch on it. This must be why my dealer said it will be ready tomorrow . But now i wonder on rust growing from rubbing on the atachment holes. I have a truck with 88k rust is a big problem under it. A 2014 outback i work also has rust issues starting on suspention mounting points. The fun life of dirt roads that are salted in summer for dust. Then all the whinter road treatments. Just atack metal non stop where i live.

 

Yes, they totally messed up things and did not cut out things based on the Subaru provided template.

 

Yahtzee. Thank you sir.

 

Yeah they messed up. Go back for sure!

Side note to anyone interested in ordering the OEM hitch and installing yourself: I searched online and called a half dozen dealerships within an hour of me, the absolute cheapest I could find the kit was on bamwholesaleparts.com, use code "10OFF" at checkout and with ground shipping I just paid $305 total.

The site also has other OEM parts and accessories that are much less expensive than the dealership.

 

I installed a Curt hitch with 2" receiver in my driveway. I chose the Curt rather than the OEM hitch as the Curt allows you to a) keep the outback bumper in place and b) not have to remove and reinstall the bumper skin as part of the installation process. It was a reasonably easy install taking about 2 hours.
I like the idea that if I'm ever rear ended, I now have both the factory bumper as well as the Curt hitch sitting behind the bumper skin.
There is an excellent video on how to install the Curt hitch at the etrailer.com website.
By the way, kudos to Subaru as well for having the trailer wiring harness connector available for us to just plug into ! Easiest trailer wiring setup I've dealt with.

 

Tagging this thread because we just bought a 2020 OB and my wife wants a hitch added to it...

 

Hitch installed! I decided to go OEM for a number of reasons.

I normally like to do these sorts of things myself. But I got a quote from my closest dealer that I thought was reasonable ($500). At that cost, I decided to let them do it. I thought they did a pretty nice job with the bumper cutout.

 

Great thread. I worked this into my deal as a throw in but after seeing this I have my doubts it will be done well. This will help me know what to look for and if it isn't right, I won't accept it.

 

Mine was also worked into the deal and came out fine. Just inspect it before leaving the lot and that way you can call out any issues...this thread shows you what to look for.

 

I had my dealer try 3 times and they did such a bad job I asked them to give me a new bumper piece which I then cut myself. Also they cut me a $200 check for my trouble as I had negotiated a hitch install as part of my purchase, and Subaru Corporate gave me $250 in parts and labor credit. Took me about 90 mins to do a perfect cut job using the template from Subaru's instructions - I found the best way to do it was repeated scores with an exacto knife.